The old man's face
A map of scars
Straw Stetson brim
Half Comanche
They called him Brownie
For his Indian skin
I met him once
In a cafe
In my hometown
In a corner singing
Black Jack David,
Don't Let the Deal Go Down
We called him back for more
Goodnight Brownie Ford
Just a kid
Breaking horses
Working wild west shows
Rope and leather
Cards and money
Learning fast how the old song goes
Declared me dead twice, he said
But I never was that far gone
Yeah that saddle bronc dragged me to the gates of heaven
I couldn't stay down long
Dying ain't what living's for
I snuck out that hospital ward
Goodnight Brownie Ford
Played his guitar
From here to far
Woodsmoke and campfire songs
Float up to the stars til the night is gone
I remember talking to him
More likely, he was talking to me--
Saying “Don't let ‘em mess with your music
If you go to Tennesseeâ€
As the fire flared and died
From his cigarette
And he looked me in the eye to ask
A riddle with his next breath--
All the free advice I could afford
Got in his car and closed the door
Goodnight Brownie Ford